A case of primary adenocarcinoma of middle ear origin extending into middle cranial fossa

Abstract

Adenocarcinoma arising from the temporal bone is a rare neoplasm. The symptoms are related to the tumor extension toward the surrounding tissues and a reactive inflammation in the middle ear cavity. We here report a female patient of fifth decades with primary adenocarcinoma of the middle ear. It was not pathohistologically diagnosed up to third operation after over 10 year-follow up from her first ear symptoms. Tumor finally extended into the middle cranial fossa, and a partial temporal bone resection was performed as a curative therapy. Pathological characteristics of adenocarcinoma was observed only at the lesion attached to dura mater of the middle cranial fossa.